SURVEY METHOD

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 DEFINITION
• Survey Research may be defined as a technique
whereby the researcher studies the whole population
with respect to certain sociological and psychological
variables.

• E.g., If the researcher wants to study the factors

affecting the interest of the students in mathematics..
(questionnaire, students from diff schools)
• Survey Research is a new technique for Social Science
Research.
• It is used to study opinions, attitudes and social facts.
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The survey researcher is primarily interested in
assessing the characteristics of the whole
population. It’s not possible (PRACTICALLY).
So, a random sample ( representative of the
population is taken).
Relative
distribution SURVEY incidence

relationship
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TYPES OF SURVEY RESEARCH

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 PERSONAL INTERVIEW
• It is a one to one interaction between two people. One
is an INTERVIEWER ( who asks the questions) and the
other one is the INTERVIEWEE (or respondent, who
answers the questions).
• Success of any interview depends on three factors –
1. Accessibility in terms of information required from
the respondent. She/he must be able to convey.
2. Cognition – The respondent is able to understand
what is required of him.
3. Motivation of the respondent to answer accurately.

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Types of interview ( based on type of
preparation we make before
conducting the interview)

Structured Un-structured

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 Difference b/w Structured and
Unstructured Interview
• Structured : Particular • Unstructured : No
Sequence Sequence
• No Flexibility. Set pattern. • Flexibility in framing and
order of questions.
• Interview Schedule –
preparing list of questions • NO interview Schedule
beforehand.
• Open – Ended Questions
• Close ended questions –
Answers specified

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 COMBINATIONS OF INTERVIEW
SITUATIONS
a. Individual to Individual
b. Individual to group
c. Group to individuals
d. Group to group

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 QUESTIONNAIRE
• It’s one of the most simple, versatile and low cost self
reporting method.
• Consists of pre-determined set of questions
• In other words, these are HIGHLY STRUCTURED
INTERVIEWS.
• Questionnaire is used for collecting demographic info,
attitudes, knowledge etc.
• Types of questions used in a survey :
1. Open Ended : E.g. What is friendship to you?
2. Close Ended : E.g. Friendship is a) Love b)Family
3. Rating method : From most preferred to the least.

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 TELEPHONE SURVEY
• E.g., TV Programmes asking you to send your
views through sms.
• ADVANTAGES : Time saving.
• DISADVANTAGES : Reluctance
Uncooperativeness
Superficial Answers

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 PANEL TECHNIQUE
• Successive interview of the same sample.
• Purpose is wide and expensive.
• ADVANTAGE:
1. Helps the investigator to know the various
factors leading to the change
2. More Accuracy and consistency.
• DISADVANTAGE:
1. 1.Loss of sample : Urgent work, death,
relocation, Migration.
2. 2. Social Desirability.
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 Survey Research depends upon 3
important factors :
1) Direct contact with the sample
2) Success of survey research depends upon the
willingness and co-operativeness of the
sample selected for study.
3) Researcher must be a trained personnel.
• Social Intelligence
• Manipulative skill
• Research insight
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 Advantages of survey research
1. Wide Scope, Great deal of information can be
obtained.
2. Inter- disciplinary value.
3. Can study topics like – Attitude, Beliefs,
values etc.
4. Maximal Accuracy at Economical rate.

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 Disadvantages
• Research remains at the survey. ( Not In-
depth)
• Practical Problems- Time Consuming
• Prone to sampling errors: Minor fluctuations
of chance.
• Survey research demands- Expertise,
Knowledge on part of the Researcher to
conduct a survey, Technical know how.

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